Shaquille O'Neal entertains crowd at OSU

Or get away with calling Oklahoma State students Oklahoma Sooners — twice.

Or reminisce about dunking on Cowboy basketball coach Travis Ford.

Shaquille O'Neal is one of those characters.

The former NBA superstar and entertainer extraordinaire visited Gallagher-Iba Arena Tuesday night for a panel discussion hosted by OSU's Student Government Association that featured questions from Ford, former Cowboy guard Keiton Page and a number of students. Along the way, a dance-off also broke out.

Here are some highlights from the hourlong session.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in the NBA?

The biggest lesson I learned in the NBA was how to become a leader. A lot of people like to talk about the drama that Kobe (Bryant) and I (had). But on the outside looking in, you wouldn't understand that I was in a CEO position and I had to push one of my employees very hard. … The true definition of a great player is how you make the players around you better. When he first came in, he was really raw, but I stayed on him a lot and kept pushing him (and) pushing him, and he pushed me. I think that's why we were the best 1-2 duo ever created.

What do you hold in higher regard: your NBA MVP in 2000 or your first rap album going platinum or your MBA?

What about Kazaam? You know, it's crazy, I've got more Kazaam fans here than anywhere in the world. Probably my biggest award is the one I'll receive this May 5. I'm receiving my Ph.D. from Barry University. That's probably the biggest one.